On The Fly: Shabazz Having Some Problems In Miami

Miami Heat guard Shabazz Napier (13) waits during a stoppage in play caused by a roof leak against the Brooklyn Nets during the first quarter at the Barclays Center.

Miami Heat guard Shabazz Napier (13) waits during a stoppage in play caused by a roof leak against the Brooklyn Nets during the first quarter at the Barclays Center. (Adam Hunger / USA Today Sports)

What's the matter with Shabazz Napier?

NBA writer Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel on former UConn player Shabazz Napier, sent to the D-League recently but called right back up by the Miami Heat because of injuries: "He can still make plays, but he's really struggling keeping his man in front of him. It's among the reasons he was sent to the D-League. And his assist-to-turnover ratio doesn't cut it in the NBA. Basically, he has to become more complete. The question is, with his frail build, whether he can fight through NBA-level screens to succeed as a defender." Napier is among the lightest players in the league at 175 pounds and has an assist-to-turnover average of 1.9-1.7. ... Napier was No. 5 in NBA name searches on Google for 2014, and he got there after LeBron James tweeted last April that Shabazz was the best point guard in the draft. Ray Allen showed up at No. 8, which must come from people trying to figure out where he might play this season. No answer yet.

Chicago Bears safety Chris Conte to a Chicago radio station: "I'd rather have the experience of playing and, who knows, die 10, 15 years earlier than not be able to play in the NFL and live a long life." Conte has had two concussions this season, although he later told espnchicago.com that he wasn't specifically referring to concussions but the overall risk. ... The Patriots are outscoring the Jets 31.6-16.4. The Jets are 32nd — and last — in scoring average. They play Sunday. ... Jets coach Rex Ryan called Patriots coach Bill Belichick a first-ballot Hall of Famer, which he is. Bill said it was flattering "but it sounds like Rex is just buttering me up." ... UConn coach Bob Diaco was in studio for ESPN's College Football Live Wednesday. Asked which QB he'd take in the Oregon-Florida State game, he said Marcus Mariota. "I think it's a big factor in the game ... protecting the football, especially after the season we just went through." Yes, turnovers killed his Huskies.

The "All in the Family" video documentary of the Hall-Conard high school football rivalry in West Hartford will be shown Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Conard Auditorium. Admission is free. ... Southington is the Walter Camp high school football team of the year in Connecticut. ... Emily Wertheimer of Simsbury, who attends Miss Porter's in Farmington, has signed with the U.S. Naval Academy where she will be on the crew team. Her proud father Mike notes she is the first from that school to go to Navy, though a number have gone to West Point. ... Avon Old Farms hockey coach John Gardner is at 697 wins and could reach the 700 mark in the school's Christmas Classic, which starts Thursday. Very fitting. ... As was Cheshire canceling its boys basketball opener Thursday after the apparent murder-suicide in town.